Liquid refrigerating unit



o. R. HUBER LIQUID nnmzemmme nun Filed May 23, 1941. 1

Aug. 11, 1942-. I

, 2 v INVENTOR.

F wfiq w ATTORNEY v Patented Aug. l1, 19 42 LIQUID REFBIGERA'IING UNIT Otto R. Huber, Cincinnati, omo, assignor to Francis A. Hoover, Cincinnati, Ohio Application May 23, 1941, Serial No. 394,917

3 Claims. (Cl. 62-141) v U p r part of the beverage coil, while the lower This invention relates to improvements in refrigerating apparatus, particularly adapted for use in connection with the cooling of a beverage or other liquids for spigot drawn service requir ing a delivery at substantially constant and uniform temperature under variable volume and demand periods, and wherein material fluctuation in temperature is objectionable and must necessarily be avoided.

The improvement is directed primarily to a i itsioperation by the temperature of the liquid two tank or compartment type of refrigerating apparatus, in which a liquid cooling medium is recirculated between the tanks, one containing a condensing or refrigerating coil of a refrigerating unit for cooling the liquid cooling medium, and the second containing a beverage conducting coil. The liquid cooling medium is periodically, as required upon a determined drop in its temperature in one of the compartments, ,recirculated for correspondingly displacing the higher temperature liquid cooling medium in the second tank for that of a lower degree of temperature in the first tank. The method is highly adaptable for the cooling of a beverage, such as beer,-

dispensed at a counter or bar directly from a barrel or storage container carrying a bulk supply.

A major difliculty heretofore encountererd with beverage cooling systems of the two tank type is the freezing of the beer when the same has not been drawn oil for an extended period, as during the closing hoursfor the dispensary. The conduits connecting the tanks through the stream of liquid cooling medium therein or liquid connec tion of the two tank effects a convection or capillary action, causing a lowering of the temperature of the cooling medium in the tank containing the beverage coil to a degree to freeze the beverage in the coil.

The present improvement overcomes or pre-' vents the establishment of such condition by effecting an interruption or break in the stream in the receptacle conduit connecting lines commensurate with the cutting off of the enforced circulation of the liquid cooling medium between V the two ta'nks.- 1

The present'apparatus also provides for a more adequate distribution of the colder liquid cooling medium as introduced into the beverage coil containing receptacle, and for its full volume height to obtain a uniform temperature throughout its entire contents and avoid variation in tempera-Y ture between diflerent elevations in the receptacle. A non-uniformity of the temperature causes absorption of the heat units by only the 55 tric motor driven compressor 4.

part .of the coil. condition also causes undue frequency of operapart is maintained colder than it should be-resulting in freezing of the beverage in the lower Such an adverse temperature tion of the pumping mechanism for circulating the cooling medium, automatically controlled in medium at a given point.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a refrigerating unit having a pair of cooling medium containing receptacles in conduit connection, wherein the cooling medium is circulated through and between the receptacles, one

containing a refrigerant coil, and the other'a beverage coil, to provide an interruptionin the fluid stream in the conduits connectingsaid re ceptacles automatically established upon cessation of the means for enforcing the transfer of the cooling medium from one receptacle to the other, and therefrom in return, to prevent any change in temperature of the liquid cooling medium in the beverage coil containingreceptacle by convection, capillary or otherwise, through a liquid connection with said refrigerant coil containing receptacle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a definite liquid level height in the beverage coil containing receptacle in relation to the intake and discharge openings of a pair of tubes extending into theupper'part of said receptacle,

connecting with said refrigerant coil containing receptacle, forfluid enforced circulation between said receptacles, and to effect a head pressure to normally break or disrupt the fluid stream between the receptacles when the enforced fluid circulation is'stopped. 1

Various other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully set forth in a description of the accompanying drawing, in which the figure represents a diagrammatic view of the improved two tank type of refrigerator unit.

In the drawing, I and 2 indicate a pair of sealed tanks or receptacles, spaced apart, or they may be representative of a pair of compartments in an organized unit insulated from one another and from direct atmospheric exposure. The tank structure is optional, and in the formshown, the tanks are of companion cylindrical construction.

The tank I centrally and longitudinally thereof is provided with a refrigerant or evaporator coil 3, which has its inlet and outlet ends respectively in suitable circuit pipe connection with a conventional refrigerator unit including an elec- A thermostat or bulb 6, containing a volatile fluid responsive to the temperature of the liquid cooling medium within the tank I, connects by means of a pipe I to a collapsible bellows 8. The

bellows 8 connects and actuates an electric cir-' cuit controlling switch 9 for an electric motor as contained therein a'beverage cooling coil I I having a spigot I2 at its outlet end exterior of the tank, and the inlet end of the coil exterior of the tank connects with a keg or container I3 for the beverage supply.

The two tanks I and 2 are connected by a pipe I4, preferably having its opposite ends respectively extending axially or vertically into the tanks to bring the inlet section I5 toward the bottom of the refrigerant coil containing tank I. The section I6 for the outlet end of the pipe I4 correspondingly extends within the beverage coil containing tank 2, likewise to within a short distance from the bottom of the tank, and is apertured at suitable spacing apart for approximately the full length within the tank and with its lower extremity sealed to provide a sprayer discharge of the liquid cooling medium when forced from the tank I into the tank 2. This provides for a centralized full column height discharge of the colder cooling medium into the tank 2 to obtain a uniform distribution and reduction of temperature throughout the entire column of cooling liquid, forcing the warmer portion thereof radially and upwardly as the colder liquid is force into the tank 2 from the tank I. The tank connecting pipe I4 has a pump I1 interposed therein, preferably driven by an electric appropriate liquid level height normally maintained for the stationary or non-circulating periods of the liquid cooling medium between the tanks to permit a break in the fluid tank connecting streams within the beverage coil containing tank '2. The inlet end or section 23 may also be provided with one or more apertures 28 within the air space to insure an interruption in the return stream for the non-circulating period of. the cooling fluid or liquid, the aperture being of a dimension to not materially interfere with the discharge or circulating flow of the cooling liquid.

One or more uppermost apertures 24 in the sprayer discharge I6 is above the liquid level height, and likewise above the intake or receiving end of the return pipe 22, which also bears a relation to the level height of the column of cooling liquid to produce a break in the stream lines,- effected by an air head pressure mainmotor. The operation of the electric motor is automatically controlled by temperature responsive means similarly as utilized for the control of the refrigerating unit. This, as diagrammed, comprises a thermostat or bulb I8 within the tank 2, and containing a volatile fluid responsive to the temperature of the liquid cooling medium in the, tank 2 which connects by means'of a pipe I9 with a bellows 20. The bellows 20 actuates an electric circuit control switch 2| for the electric motor as a power transmission means for the The switch completes the motor circuit when the temperature of the liquid cooling medium in the tank 2 attains a certain high value, and will interrupt the circuit when the temperature of the cooling medium attains a certain low value- The on and off control of the pump is within a limited temperature range and primarily for approximately maintaining a temperature of the liquid cooling medium best suited for efficiently cooling the beverage to a desired degree, and avoid freezing of the beverage in the beverage coil II.

The range generally is between 34 F. and 36? F. The pump is thus automatically set in oper-' vation when the liquid cooling medium in said tank 2 rises to say 36 F. and cut off. when the temperature is reduced to say 34 F. These temperatures are given arbitrarily, and of course tained in the space above the column height or liquid level in said tank 2. Thus in starting a recirculation of the liquid cooling medium between the tanks, the pump will convey the colder liquid from the tank I for forcible delivery into the tank 2, and discharge it therein through the centrally and vertically disposed sprayer stem I6, raising the liquid level height above the intake or receiving endv of the pipe 22, thereby increasing the headpressure whereupon the circulation continues uniformly during the pump operating period.

As soon as the pump stops, the head pressure will continue the fluid discharge from the tank 2 into the tank I until the stream lines in the circulating pipes are broken or interrupted. This will prevent a, lowering of the temperature of the cooling medium in the secondary tank by capillary, convection or the like, through the stream lines connecting the colder cooling liquid in tank I to a degree below the temperature which will permit freezing in the beverage coil.

The tank I at its upper end is provided with an air releasing or vent valve 25 for periodic manual operation to discharge any accumulation of air collected in the top of the tank I to maintain a relative static condition therein. Discharging the colder cooling liquid from tank I centrally for the approximate full height of the column of liquid in the tank 2 provides a uniform distribution throughout the entire volume, forcing the warmer liquid outwardly and upwardly for return to tank I, and thereby avoiding inadequate circulation which results in the temperature at certain points beiings many degrees colder than at other higher po 11 The temperature of the liquid cooling medium of both tanks is automatically differentially coning through a coil immersed in the coolin medium. The circuitous course for circulating the cooling medium from one tank into the other,

and in return to the first when the pump for andnot as r to the other through said return course.

cooling medium'is introduced from the bottom of one tankinto the bottom of the other, or from the bottom of one into the top of the other.

It is evident that the apparatus may be em-.

ployed for cooling liquids other than beverages,

and thereforethe term fBeverage coil" employed herein ismerelygiven for identification purposes a limitation for its use only for beverages. w

Havingdescribed my invention, 1- claim:

1. A' liquid refrigerating unit, comprising: a pair of'rec'eptacles; each providing a closed compartment adapted to hold a circulating liquid refrigerant, a refrigerant coil in one compartment, a beverage coil in the other compartment, a

' pair of conduits connecting said compartments,

inlet normally above the liquid level; height in,

2. A liquid refrigerating unit, comprising: a pair of closed compartments adapted to holda circulating liquid refrigerant, a refrigerant coil in one compartment, a beverage coil in-the' other comparament, a pair of conduits connectingsaid. I

compartments. one for a forward course connecting said compartments, the second conduit.

for a-return course of the liquid, connecting with the tops of the compartments and for the beverage coil compartment extended to a point to bring its said compartment for aninterruption-of a liquid connection, and a pump interposedin said conduitfor the forward course for propelling the liquid from said refrigerantcoil containing compartment elevating theliquid level for establish ing a liquid connection with the return conduit onefor a forward course having an inlet'adJacent the bottom of the. refrigerant 1 coil containing compartment, and a sprayerlfdischarging stem extending centrally and longitudinally vertical v withinthe beverage coil compartment, the second conduit'for a. return course of the liquid, cana point to bring its inlet normally above the liquid level height in said compartment for an interruption of a liquid connection therewith. and

- content to provide a pressure space thereabove,

separate supply and returnconduits connecting said compartments, each having an openingexinto the beverage coil compartment, and di'splace- -ment of liquid from said beverage coil compart-' ment back into said refrigerant coil compartment;

7 3 A liquid refrigerating unit. comprising: a; pair of compartments, each adapted to hold-a'circulating liquid refrigerant,-.a refrigerant coil' in one compartment, a beverage coilin the second compartment, thebeverage coil containing compartment having less than a full liquid refrigerant posed to the pressure space in said beverage coil nectins wl hthe tops ofthe compartments and for the beverage coil compartment extended to a pump interposed in said conduit for the forward course for propelling the liquid, effecting an agitating discharge'flow centrally of .the

volume in said beverage coil containing compartment, and an elevation of the'liquid level for a liquid connection with the return establishing o conduit and a head pressure for displacement of containing. compartment for an interruption" of liquid connection'with the liquid contents'in said compartments, and a pump interposed in the supply-conduit-vfo'r an interchange circulation of 1 the liquid refrigerant in said compartments, the pump during a liquid impelling period elevating the liquid level in said beverage coil containing compartment above' said conduit openings exposed to the pressure spacefor connection with the liquid refrigerant contents thereof. 1

I 'o'rro a. HUBER.'

liquid from said beverage coil compartment back 

